Philadelphia’s 94WIP midday show had a special caller, “Josh in Abingdon,” call in Monday to talk about the Eagles’ win in Super Bowl LIX. Co-host Joe Giglio immediately revealed the caller’s true identity: Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania governor.
“‘Josh in Abingdon,’ is the name on the screen, you might know him as the governor of Pennsylvania,” Giglio said. “What’s going on, governor, how are you?”
“Guys, what a day! Unbelievable,” Shapiro said. “Incredible win. Incredible win. I’m just so pumped up.”
Co-host Hugh Douglas, a former Eagles star, immediately had some questions.
“Gov, hopefully you weren’t out there climbing [light] poles? You weren’t out there acting up in the streets last night, were you?” Douglas asked.
“No, we celebrate safely, guys” Shapiro replied.
“Just the love Philly sports fans is unbelievable,” Shapiro continued. “It’s a great vibe for the city, great vibe for the state. I’m just so proud of these guys.”
Shapiro credited quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl MVP, for the 40-22 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. But he pointed out the offensive and defensive lines both played huge roles. That, he said, is a tribute to Eagles executive VP/GM Howie Roseman.
“Howie has always understood you win championships on those two lines, and he built them,” Shapiro said. “They were deep. Hell, there were guys coming in the game making tackles, half the time I didn’t even know who they were.”
Shapiro is no stranger to calling 94 WIP, but he still obviously gets deferential treatment given his lofty status. Douglas mentioned the Eagles had put an “old-fashioned butt-whuppin'” on the Chiefs.
“Since the governor’s on the phone, I’m not going to use cuss words,” Douglas said.
“Nah, you can say whatever you want,” Shapiro said.
Josh Shapiro said the Eagles made a statement by hitting hard.
“They (the Chiefs) were getting knocked around,” Shapiro said. “When [Travis] Kelce dropped that ball early in the game, and still got sandwiched there, I just thought that set a tone early with the Chiefs, where we said, ‘Hey listen, we don’t care that you’ve won two Super Bowls. We’re coming for you guys.’ It was extraordinary.”
Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2028. There’s definitely a populist appeal to a guy who goes by the name “Josh in Abingdon” on local radio call-in shows.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.